SPELLBOUND

Alphonso Johnson

Jazz Rock/Fusion

3.11 | 8 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Sean Trane
Special Collaborator
Prog Folk

2.5 stars really

Third and last album (for the 70's anyway) from the ex-Weather report bassist Alphonso Johnson, this time helped out by from what it looks like a set-group (this might have been a regular band, maybe they even toured) and in the reduced guest list, only Pat Thrall (future Pat Travers Band and Glen Hughes) rings a bell to yours truly. A rather boring photo, but showing the Chapman graces the album's cover.

If Johnson appears with that now-famous Chapman stickon the cover, the least we can say is that it is all over this album as well >> it can even serve as a demo for the instrument makers.. The first half has three sung tunes, which is generally not good news in jazz-rock, but then again, most of the tracks on that album don't really qualify as such (funky jazz-funk at most ;o))). Nothing really transcendental or even remotely interesting on this side. Musically, this album is all over the map, a bit like the other two, but again there are four sung tracks, even if the sidelong suite Earthtales only gets a couple lines, twice. Don't get your hopes up to high about it though?. The first half is downright boring (nothing exciting happening), but around the 2/3 mark, it does get more exciting as they all crank up the volume and passed on the third gear? there are good moments in there, but unfortunately a bit tempered by disputable synth sounds of the late-70's. Just like his other two 70's albums, this is hardly essential (except for the Chapman stick), and if you want to discover his works, I suggest you start with Yesterday's Dream.

Sean Trane | 2/5 | 2010-7-3

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Share this ALPHONSO JOHNSON review

Social review comments () BETA

Review related links

Send comments to Sean Trane
Report this review (#288982)
Buy ALPHONSO JOHNSON music online with PA partners
Show all ALPHONSO JOHNSON MP3/Stream
Go to ALPHONSO JOHNSON page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
Go to Spellbound page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
Search the Forum for ALPHONSO JOHNSON related discussions